Monticello's Jackson accepts college football scholarship

Last summer, Monticello quarterback Shane Jackson lit up a camp at Syracuse University, showing off his speed, versatility and athleticism.

JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ

Last summer, Monticello quarterback Shane Jackson lit up a camp at Syracuse University, showing off his speed, versatility and athleticism.

He was the talk of the Carrier Dome.

Entering his senior year, Jackson, already gaining college attention, figured there would be more interest. However, after Jackson tore the ACL in his knee last August, the schools quickly stopped calling.

Jackson, who missed all of this season due to the injury, feared he would never play in college on scholarship. Now comes the feel-good ending: Jackson can proudly report that he has accepted an athletic/academic scholarship worth about $38,000 annually to play at Division II Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire.

"It was hard, but I knew I had to hold my head up during the process and just work hard," said Jackson, a Varsity845 first-team all-star as a sophomore and junior. "It means so much that Saint Anselm stuck with me since the injury. I know I'm going to come back even better for them."

Jackson, recruited by Saint Anselm as a quarterback/wide receiver, tore his ACL last August at a camp at the University of New Hampshire. It occurred with no contact during routine defensive-back drills. Football Championship Subdivision schools (formerly I-AA) New Hampshire, Maine and Fordham had shown interest in Jackson before his injury.

After the Syracuse performance, Monticello coach Matt Buddenhagen said he thought Jackson would get even more looks. However, after the injury, most of the schools disappeared or declined to offer packages as good as Saint Anselm's.

"After the injury, who knew what was going to happen?" Buddenhagen said. "It was a freak injury and everyone pulled out. But it turned into a good ending. I still think Shane can do so many things on the field. He is just such a dynamic player."

Jackson rushed for 956 yards and 11 touchdowns, throwing for 993 yards with 13 scores as a junior. He added two return touchdowns. As a sophomore, Jackson passed for 1,417 yards with 19 touchdowns, rushing for 640 yards and 10 scores. He returned a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns.

Five months after surgery, Jackson is still recovering, but is running track and feels good.

"I'm happy about where I am," Jackson said. "It's just a blessing, I really can't explain it. I'm really excited to come back like this."